Stoke and Sunderland each recorded a sixth Barclays Premier League draw of the season after playing out a goalless stalemate at the Britannia Stadium.

In a game lacking in real quality and featuring some feisty tackling, Potters wideman Michael Kightly saw a shot cleared away by the head of Carlos Cuellar in the first half.

Charlie Adam was unable to finish for the hosts from Geoff Cameron's tee-up after the break and Black Cats striker Steven Fletcher's penalty claims went unheeded after his shot looked to have hit Robert Huth's arm.

In a scrappy opening, Kightly was released down the left in the 14th minute but made a mess of his cross and Sunderland winger Adam Johnson's deflected shot earned a corner which amounted to nothing.

Begovic's opposite number Mignolet pushed away a curling free-kick from Adam and the ball came to Ryan Shawcross, whose mis-hit volley was also saved by the Belgian stopper.

Colback tried his luck from distance to no avail before Kightly sent a shot towards the top corner around the half-hour mark, with Cuellar on hand to head behind and Mignolet punching away the resulting corner under pressure from Shawcross.

Wilson sustained an injury soon after the restart from a challenge on Fletcher which led to him being carried off the pitch on a stretcher, Andy Wilkinson being brought on to replace him.

With just under 20 minutes to go, Cameron pulled the ball back in the box for Adam, who was falling as he shot and saw Mignolet easily claim his effort.

Fletcher then suddenly found himself in space in the area and struck the ball against Huth, with the ball appearing to hit the defender's arm. Fletcher appealed for a spot-kick, but referee Mark Halsey waved play on.

Stoke substitute Matthew Etherington had a shot blocked, and after Gardner had been booked for a wild challenge on Wilkinson, Mignolet produced a point-blank save to keep out Huth's header.